CRV Valve adjustment

[JeffKeryk]

Wow, everybody seems to think they are the best valve clearance adjuster on the planet?
How can that be when I am?

 

[mk378]

You're going to touch them all anyway, may as well go ahead and break each one loose and adjust it by the same process. That way there is less thinking, which is good for people on this forum.

 

[Coastie05]

You're going to touch them all anyway, may as well go ahead and break each one loose and adjust it by the same process. That way there is less thinking, which is good for people on this forum.

If they are within spec why break them loose and adjust them? They are already within the required spec.

 

[slo town]

If they are within spec why break them loose and adjust them? They are already within the required spec.

Exactly.

Scott

 

[The Critic]

Tight valves don't always cause misfires. Tight valves usually cause valve head/valve seat failure because of improper sealing or insufficient time to cool the valve when it's closed.

Loose valves can also cause problems, especially in modern engines with sophisticated ECMs - things such as a rough idle. You suggest that loose valves are harmless. Since the manufacturer provides specs for valve clearance, how loose is too loose?

FWIW, Honda specs .008" - .010" for the intake valves, .011" to .013" for the exhaust valves.

As far as feeler gauges being subjective, I disagree completely. You have to know how to use them correctly. For the most accurate results the feeler gauge must be inserted perpendicular to the face of valve stem surface.

And why would someone go through the trouble of removing the cam/valve cover, checking the valves, but leave the loose ones loose (a subjective decision), and then put things back together only to have the engine sound like it needs a valve adjustment because of excessive valve tick?

Scott

From my experience (and you can google this if you want validation), tight values will most commonly cause misfires on Hondas, especially J-series V6 engines. Exhaust values with inadequate clearance will commonly cause misfires on those engines before you experience valve seat failure.

As you mentioned, for the most accurate results, the feeler gauge must be perpendicular. In areas of difficult access (back bank of a J-series), how are you always 100% certain that this is being done properly? Especially on flat-rate? That is why checking all of the clearances and only adjusting the ones that are tight is the lowest-risk approach.

 

[circuitsmith]

I owned 4 Hondas (75 Civic, 81, 85, 88 Accords) and valve adjustment was one of the more satisfying rituals for me.
I used gauge one size thicker and one size thinner than spec range.
Example: intake spec is 0.005-0.007, so 0.004 and 0.008 feelers.
Thick doesn't go, thin goes easily.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

I owned 4 Hondas (75 Civic, 81, 85, 88 Accords) and valve adjustment was one of the more satisfying rituals for me.
I used gauge one size thicker and one size thinner than spec range.
Example: intake spec is 0.005-0.007, so 0.004 and 0.008 feelers.
Thick doesn't go, thin goes easily.

Right on. Go/NoGo gauges work well for this.

 

[Trav]

I use a "go no-go" feeler gauge.
To adjust, I crack the lock nut and move the screwdriver a tiny amount; tighten and recheck. Easy peasey.
No sense hunting around loosening, tightening... Much slower and harder to get correct.

I use a dial indicator when possible, it doesn't get any more accurate than that and very easy to do.

 

[GMBoy]

Can't believe in this day and age Honda still requires valve adjustments.

 

[Coastie05]

Better angle of the spark plugs. Been meaning to put this on for awhile.